OUR DREADNOUGHT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 1, 2 June 1913, Page 5

OUR DREADNOUGHT

THE DUNEDIN VISIT. Per Press Association. Dunedin, Saturday Night The battleship New Zealand, after spending the night at sea, came in from. the east Uub morning soon after daylight, and anchored a mile and a half from Taiaroa Heads. The weatlier was line and sunny, and there was little sea running.

At ten o'clock, an official party, conv prising the Mayor of Dunedin, President of the Navy League, the President of the Overseas Club, and the Chairman of the Otago Haroor Board went on board and welcomed Captain Halsey to Otago. Arrangements were made for a contingent of marines to come ashore on Monday to take-part in a military display in the forenoon.

A large number of school children, n v of whom were from Central Otago., made a trip outside the Heads in steamers during the day, >ut none of them were taken on board.' After circling the vessel, the steamers, with their living freights, returned to Port Chalmers for other contingents. At 3 p.m. Captain Halsey and several officers came ashore. They were welcomed at Port Chalmers, where a party of Maoris also met them and gave them cordial greeting, besides presenting Captain Halsey with an address of welcome. The visit of the school children to the warship was carried out most successfully. 4,500 youngsters were taken *y train to Port Chalmers, and thence to the spot where tl>o ship was anchored outside the heads by a number of steamers. The sea was beautifully calm, but it was thought inadvisable by the captains of the excursion steamers with whom decision in the matter was left to attempt to board the ship of war. The' visiting steamers therefore circled! round H.M.S. New Zealand, the excursionists having an excellent view of theexterior of the vessel, and then returned to Port Chalmers. All day long, there was a continual stream of youngsters to arid from the war vessel. Thorough enjoyment and enthusiasm throughout the day was the dominant note of the part tJie children played in the first appearance of the warship in these waters. Captain Halsey and the officers of H.M.S. New Zealand were accorded a civic reception in the Early Settlers' Hall at 4.30 p.m., the building being crowded to the doors. The Mayor (Mr. Downie Stewart) presided, and, extended a cordial welcome to Captain Halsey andt his officers.

Captain Halsey in replying, expressed regret that Che climatic conditions which prevailed off Timaru and Oamaru prevented him from anchoring at these places. At the former place, he had 200 men ready to land, but a gale sprang i up and prevented them from landing. He- ' had intended unveiling a monument it ■ Oamaru to the honour of Captain Scott,, but he was prevented by the weathe*.» He hoped to do so on the morrow if arrangements could be made. He ex-,. «wd' thanks for the fine receptions accorded him and his officers, rind he, hoped they would always trust the men who would have charge of the Hfltß. New Zealand. He was. cheered at the finish, and the crowd rose and sang the, national anthem.

A SEARCHLIGHT DISPLAY. Bunedin, Sunday. large number of people took advantage of the fine weather to visit the j battleship New Zealand. The sea was' calm and many of the excursionists goton board the vessel. A parade of Ter-» ritnrinls and Senior Cadets has been . called for Monday The various compan- ' >es will march by difficult routes to the • Oval, where Captain Halsey will take command of the salute which will be* fired about 9 a.m. The New Zealand 1 will leave about 2 p.m. to-morrow, and' after sailing past Waikouaite, she will ' f? Ocean Beach for a few hours in the evening, when her searchlight will be turned on the city.